SRTA sets date for new bus terminal opening

The date has been set this month for dedication of the new $5.2 million bus terminal, bringing a transition from a mobile trailer to a permanent home for the first time in about six years. Southeastern Regional Transit Authority officials issued invitations that the milestone event will take place June 21 at 10 a.m.

The date has been set this month for dedication of the new $5.2 million bus terminal, bringing a transition from a mobile trailer to a permanent home for the first time in about six years.

Southeastern Regional Transit Authority officials issued invitations that the milestone event will take place June 21 at 10 a.m.

The SRTA terminal’s new name and location is the Louis D. Pettine Transportation Center in honor of the late long-time administrator.

The 8,000 square-foot terminal retrofitted the 90-year-old Eastern Edison building at 118 Fourth St.

That’s less than a one-block stroll from the mobile terminal on Borden Street between Third and Fourth streets, since the SRTA terminal was torn down to create space for building the Fall River Justice Center.

Opening of the new Fourth Street terminal is slated for July 1, SRTA Administrator Erik Rousseau said.

Fall River handles 14 routes through the terminal and approximately 3,500 riders a day, he said. It also provides service for Peter Pan Bus Lines to Providence.

Rousseau said the agency is proud of rehabilitating the site in a way that is improving the downtown neighborhood and spurring other projects.

One of the historic touches added to the building is a glassed cupola above the roof that adds terminal light.

Preparation for the new state-of-the-art project includes repaving of a block of Fourth and Fifth streets, between Borden and Spring streets and Spring and Hartwell streets, which be torn up and paved in the next few weeks.

The road demolition will start at the end of this week or early next week with binder coats laid in time for the dedication ceremony, and final coats put down before the July 1 opening, said city Community Maintenance Director Kenneth Pacheco.

Removal of the mobile trailer adds more than 20 parking spaces back to the downtown flat parking lot.

The project is being completed on time and within budget at $5.2 million, Rousseau said.

Jo Ann Bentley Architects Inc. designed the project and Statewide Engineering and Construction Inc. built the new terminal. Both are in Fall River.

In a related matter, Rousseau announced Friday the start-up of SRTA’s new website at www.srtabus.com.

“This website has been designed to provide a user-friendly experience with improved navigation and functionality throughout, allowing customers to access detailed information with the option to share information across major social networking sites,” he said.

“Created with the user experience firmly in mind, the website incorporates the latest technology, making the site compatible with today’s browsers and mobile devices,” Rousseau said in a statement.

He also said the new website allows users to share information and pages that interest them with others across Facebook and Twitter. Google Translate is available to share information with SRTA passengers.